this is bbc news. i'm simon mccoy in portsmouth where commemorations are under way to mark the 75th anniversary of d—day. the queen was joined by theresa may, president trump, and other world leaders, to remember the allied invasion of nazi—occupied france. 75 years ago hundreds of thousands of young soldiers, sailors and airmen left these shores in the cause of freedom. more than 300 veterans of the d—day landings gathered to remember

the sacrifices of the thousands of men and women who fought to liberate europe. the invasion was the largest combined land, air and naval operation in history and one of the most decisive battles of the second world war. iam i am honoured to be stood here today in front of so many other veterans. you will never forget your comrades. we were all there together. it is right that the sacrifice of so many is being honoured 75 years on. we must never forget. seniorfigures from every country that fought alongside the uk are attending — they've agreed a commitment to uphold democracy, tolerance and the rule of law. the other headlines at two o'clock. social workers are severely criticised over the brutal murders of two toddlers in northamptonshire. creditors vote on whether to accept a rescue deal

for sir philip green's retail group, arcadia. and women born in the 1950s take the government to court, over the way their pension ages were increased. good afternoon — we're live in portsmouth, where the queen has led commemorations to mark the 75th anniversary of d—day. hundreds of veterans — now in their 90s — have beenjoined by world leaders of the countries which fought alongside britain, in one of the most decisive battles of the second world war. the invasion was the largest combined land, airand naval operation in history.

duncan kennedy has our first report on today's events in a moment. we have these pictures of parachutists landing we have these pictures of pa rachutists landing on we have these pictures of parachutists landing on the normandy beaches. marking the 75th anniversary of the normandy landings, and the parachutists took pa rt landings, and the parachutists took part in one of the most decisive battles of the second world war. as we look at these pictures, we tend to concentrate on what happened on the beaches, but what happened here was crucial. yes, the operation for d—day began shortly after midnight, when 6000 british and canadian paratroopers dropped in, and also american, a key operation to capture bridges, railwayjunctions, to stop any

german advance into this beachhead they were trying to carve out. the da kota they were trying to carve out. the dakota aircraft, if you see them in the skies, synonymous with this particular action. synonymous, very noisy. it was an extremely dealing operation they were trying to do. in some ways it went very wrong. the men landed, they did not know where they were, they lost their comrades, but they gathered themselves together in little bans and managed together in little bans and managed to fight their way and achieve what they had to achieve, notably the ca ptu re they had to achieve, notably the capture of pegasus bridge, it was british forces that did that in the night. this re-enactment is personnel, they have beenjumping for the last 10—15 minutes in considerable numbers. it will have been a remarkable sight for those in france watching this. absolutely. extraordinary. as it would have been for those few french civilians who saw it at the time, who must have realised, this must be it, the day we have been waiting for for years.

lots happening, not just we have been waiting for for years. lots happening, notjust here, but also in northern france, where to morrow is the day of commemoration is, the 6th ofjune, their moment of the day itself. we can now hear this report from duncan kennedy. 75 years ago portsmouth was a waiting room for war. today, space for memory laden recollection. at the time i had no idea it was as vicious as it was. from thousands,

to hundreds, that number of veterans may be dwindling, but that pride they take and the respect they are given. i6 16 world leaders are here to absorb the nostalgia and pay tribute. it was the second worst single day of losses for the united states in world war ii. our sons, pride of our nation, this the have set upon a mighty endeavour, a struggle to preserve our republic, our religion, and our civilisation, and to set

free a suffering humanity. while the great armada of ships bears down... the scale of the day was as breathtaking as its ambition. the grinding of keels on shingle. troops, menaced by enemy gunfire... 156,000 troops, including the royal marines. we threw smoke bombs through the slits. eric carter landed at dawn, 18 years old, and unknown enemy ahead, and undaunted belief in the mission. how frightening a day was d—day? i do not know. most of us were youngsters. it was like cowboys and indians to us. i cannot say i was really scared. because how can you

be scared when you do not know what is going to happen? the troop landing craft was packed to full capacity. there was no cover for the army. just standing, sitting. britain lost around 1500 men on d—day. the prime minister reflected on that human cost by recalling the letter found on the body of a captain, written to his wife. my darling, this is a very difficult letter for his wife. my darling, this is a very difficult letterfor me to his wife. my darling, this is a very difficult letter for me to write. as you know, something may happen at any moment. and i cannot tell when you will receive this. i had hoped to be able to see you during last weekend, but it was impossible to get away. and all the things i intended to say, must be written. i am sure that anyone with imagination must dislike the thought of what is

coming. but my fears will be more of being afraid, than of what can happen to me. you and i have had some lovely years... those who survived the horrors of the normandy beaches, are now in their tenth decade, today that vast arc of time it was bridged with vivid memories. it is with humility and pleasure, on behalf of the entire country, indeed, the entire free world, that to you. # we'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when. # tributes and reflections. d—day replied on planning, lack, timing,

the momentum of history. the great enterprise of liberation to help bring the evil domination of nazism to an end. an extraordinarily powerful and emotive event today. none of the politics that we had yesterday. just the humanity of commemoration. president trump himself will fly off to ireland now. he will bejoining all the other leaders here today in northern france for tomorrow's main event where we are expected to see some very moving events. 300 veterans are marking the anniversary with a voyage to france, onboard a specially chartered cruise ship, the boudicca. foi’ men who are now in their 90s, it's a chance for them to reflect on theirjourney to the normandy beaches, and to commemorate the thousands of comrades who never returned. 0ur correspondent robert hall has been speaking to them as they gathered to remember.

jim grant's d—day began on board a landing craft lumbering through the surf towards the normandy beaches. 75 years older, he was afloat again, guest of the royal marines on a windswept ride across poole harbour. it would have taken us about four times as long. the boudicca's arrival in poole gave the 300 veterans and their companions a taste of what was to come on both sides of the channel. makes you feel so proud and yet so humble at the same time. you feel humble? can you imagine how i do? i don't deserve to be here. they are the heroes of d—day. everything that we are celebrating now, just really, really excited to be part of this and be with my grandad and have

memories we can keep forever. 0n the quayside, men who had stumbled ashore weighed down with weapons and equipment, men who had helped supply the bridgehead, examined the tools of modern warfare. my goodness! i couldn't have run with that. the excitement among veterans was infectious. men in their 90s scrambling to get in on the action. some could not quite believe they were here. wished i could come here, but i thought i was past it, can't do that. didn't think he would be able to make another voyage to normandy. we cannot comprehend what these ladies and gentlemen did for us, to give us our freedom. we have no comprehension.

not far away, curiosity of a different kind. it is humbling to hear what they remember so clearly and to then remember what that did for the rest of our lives, the rest of all of our lives thereafter, so they are amazing people. we are privileged to meet them today. today the veterans disembarked where many of them bordered in 19114. they hope these commemorations will help pass on remembrance. it is very important to remember, because hitler might have took us over.|j suppose this will be the real last commemoration there will be. everybody is getting so old. soon we will all have disappeared. we have got children and grandchildren as well. they are interested. it should be remembered. a lot of people died where we are today. they may be

dwindling in number but the survivors of the day will tell you it is their duty to be here. it is interesting. a lot of people are getting in touch with social media. this one... it reminds me of my grandfather who fought in the war in the pacific. a lot of you are feeling very personally about your own memories as you are watching what is happening in portsmouth. with me is historian giles milton. many of the veterans have never described their experiences. many of the stories has been written by the officer class, the generals, their stories have dominated, now,

75 years on, we are beginning to look at the stories of those who are in the front line, that young lads who landed into the heat of battle. i have been doing research and reading their letters and diaries. it sheds a different light on the horrors of that day. when i have had the pleasure of reporting on other anniversaries over the years, the thing that always strikes you as you walk along those beaches, along with the veterans, there tends to be their grandchildren, there tends to be youngsters with them, they are passing those stories on. it is so important that the youngsters learn about this. this was a pivotal day for the second world war, and for all of us, for the freedom of europe. it is vital that they learn about this. yet, this day, 75 years ago, there were hundreds of thousands of very, very frightened men, just over there, in the boats, waiting for a journey, they did know know what to expect. they were waiting, they were worried. they had a meeting on the weather, typical

english weather, it caused the invasion to be postponed. they did not know what to expect. many of them thought they would not come back alive. we are in portsmouth. but any city or town along the coast of england, there were soldiers everywhere. soldiers everywhere, equipment everywhere. 0ne everywhere. soldiers everywhere, equipment everywhere. one must remember, we are talking about d—day. the aftermath of d—day, their romance and months of supplies and men who were going to be landed in france. the entire south of england was like a sort of lorry park, full of men waiting to go there. several million waiting to go there. it was interesting during the ceremony that we saw earlier, that that point was made, that building of the fuel line, the back—up operation that was so line, the back—up operation that was so crucial as well. yes, the back—up, logistics, science and technology behind it. everything was invested in this operation, because both eisenhower and churchill knew that this could not fail. we know about the weather. there was a 24—hour delay. then the signal from

eisenhower, though. go. and it is lodged. he knew that once he had launched the invasion it could not be stopped. this is why the weather was so be stopped. this is why the weather was so crucial. to get that window of opportunity, which would be just enough time to plant the men on the beaches, and crucially, that the aircraft could fly in the sky. it was not too cloudy. the letters that in your research you have been reading, there must be some amazing stories from that. amazing stories of heroism, but also of tragedy. 0ne has to remember that these men witnessed terrible things, and they had no support in the aftermath of it. it was, go and have a strong cup of tea was the only support they got. they had to live with these memories for the rest of their lives. some of them, as we can see, they are still alive and living with these memories every day. we are concentrating very much on the action at sea, but also the role of the raf and the parachutists was

crucial, we had the sea assault on the beaches but there was a lot going on behind the enemy lines as well. absolutely, key bridges, junctions, they had to be captured to stop in german advance into the beachhead. the germans wanted to drive the allies back into that sea as quickly as possible. we are looking at pictures of the queen who was talking to some of the veterans. as she said in the ceremony, she was there, she was part of it. it is her story as well. it is extraordinary to see her, and to hear her speech, talking to men at the same age as her. and to see donald trump, and the president of canada, and also angela merkel here. that was a remarkable thing to see, and what must have been going through her mind as well. a difficult one for her, but one must remember, we a lwa ys her, but one must remember, we always think of the die—hard ss

soldiers but they were terrified soldiers but they were terrified soldiers on the german side as well. a lot of people will have no idea of the scale of the operation. it was said that you could almost walk to the isle of wight because of that number of boats that were here. 70,000 ships, 12,000 planes, the world had never seen anything like this before. it was on an immense scale. you have met many of those who took part, do you think that commemoration services like the one we had this morning do them justice? it is vital that they are able to be celebrated as heroes. they did something remarkable on the 6th of june, notjust something remarkable on the 6th of june, not just the something remarkable on the 6th of june, notjust the 6th ofjune, many of them fought all the way into germany, they had months and months of warfare. we must remember that. the landing was not the end of it. it was the beginning, it was day one. thank you very much for now. we are looking at pictures from normandy of more parachutists. it is a remarkable thing to see, particularly that. that will provoke

so many memories for people in northern france of a certain age. yes, and remember they are doing it in daylight. 0ur men on d—day were doing it in the night, largely. even more terrifying. and many of them had a specific mission —— everyone had a specific mission —— everyone had a specific mission. yes, they we re had a specific mission. yes, they were in bands and groups, but they got separated, it was a strong wind, they were landed, they lost their comrades, they had to form groups and dry and carry out actions, undertake actions. just looking at the kit. the weight of everything that had to be carried. things like that, unless you were around at the time, you had no idea. of course, many men landed, sprayed their ankles, broke their legs, they were carrying so much equipment, they needed to carry on for the next few weeks. the bridges were crucial, certain towns were crucial. it did not go to plan, as we said. difficult not to mention the huge losses on the beaches, particularly

on the american position. yes there was absolute slaughter there. the terrain there is particularly difficult. a long sandy beach which they have to run across while they are being machine—gunned, then they have to scale the cliffs at the back of it, a very tricky operation. we mentioned the weather, there was this window of opportunity, shortly afterwards there was a terrible storm. yes, on june 19, that actually broke up one of the harbours, completely destroyed that harbour. the weather was terrible that year. it was a very u nfortu nate was terrible that year. it was a very unfortunate year. thank you very unfortunate year. thank you very much for that. and those images coming in from normandy, but of course, very much coming in from normandy, but of course, very much the focus here in portsmouth with world leaders here. and an array of vips who are here. the royal standard is still flying. the royal standard is still flying. the queen is still here talking to some of the veterans. earlier i spoke to general nick carter, chief of the defence staff, he told me

about the significance of commemorations of the day like this. it was a huge privilege to be able to watch it and a huge privilege to be able to watch it in the company of so many veterans. why is it so important to commemorate d—day?m was one of the most important battles that that generation lived through. it was a battle that gave us through. it was a battle that gave usa through. it was a battle that gave us a foothold in europe. it was a battle that ultimately led to the defeat of the nazi regime, in every way a decisive moment of world war ii. what were the lessons of it? the courage and bravery of those who took the beaches and establish the beachhead, also a very important national enterprise because people who put on uniforms for a short period of time, scientists, mathematicians, engineers, pulled together a most remarkable plan. there was a huge amount of ingenuity and imagination that went into the plan. it was really quite a technical set of initiatives. and we have the most important people in the world here today, and yet,

perhaps the most important people are those 300 veterans. yes that is right that should be all about them. i have been privileged to be in the company of her majesty the queen, the president of the united states of america, talking to six of those, five gentlemen and one lady, and it was humbling to see how that engagement was, and how they were front and centre in terms of what they did. what sort of questions we re they did. what sort of questions were being asked? what they remembered. that is what this is all about. what they remembered, what their fears were at the time. and their fears were at the time. and the unifying thing you get from all of them, they did not want to let their mates down. general sir nick houghton are talking to me earlier. now some pictures of the prince of wales. he has been talking to some of the veterans inside a huge hangar, just behind is what you see behind me, where they have been gathering, with donald trump, as you can see, and the first lady, and they were keen, they have all had

their moments in private, with some of the veterans who took part, and also with serving soldiers as well. vetera ns also with serving soldiers as well. vete ra ns o n also with serving soldiers as well. veterans on the right, some in their 90s. just talking, remembering. many of them never having really spoken about the moments that they will remember clearly off 75 years ago. and now feel able to because frankly we are all talking about it. we are all looking back to june we are all talking about it. we are all looking back tojune the 6th specifically, but the events ofjune the 5th also, being marked here in portsmouth. they were ready to go then, but the weather stopped them. prince charles, donald trump. donald trump was originally scheduled to leave here sometime ago. but the schedule is overrunning somewhat as they spent time with those veterans. and listen to first—hand accounts of

d—day, first—hand accounts from people who will not be around for many more day —— many more years. a huge privilege on both sides as they vetera ns huge privilege on both sides as they veterans meet royalty and presidents. and presidents and royalty, a moment of huge privilege also as they talk to the veterans who took part onjune the 5th, june the 6th, d—day landings. and as we have been hearing, that wasjust the 6th, d—day landings. and as we have been hearing, that was just the start. terrible fighting followed for19 start. terrible fighting followed for 19 weeks after that landings on the beaches, as attempts were made to move in and recapture france. there is the royal standard. the queen is still here. whenever she goes that is raised. as she leaves that will be lowered. let us talk to

the commander of the portsmouth flotilla, you are in charge here. you were in that service. there were a lot of lumps in peoples throats. it was very emotional. you have summed it up incredibly well. the national commemorative event in this entire week of commemorating the sacrifice of those who went before us sacrifice of those who went before us 75 years ago, it was beautifully portrayed just a few moments ago. what was evident was that massive respect of current day service men, women, navy, army, airforce. looking at the veterans. it is about the veterans. absolutely. and it is a human endeavour. these are people that we can connect with. we also recognise, those of us in uniform today, all the legacy, we are here today, all the legacy, we are here today because they have gone before us today because they have gone before us and we have to live up to the standards that they achieve before us. and for young sailors, airmen and soldiers to be able to connect,

to hear their stories, to dry and begin to visualise what it must have been like 75 years ago, the scale of effort, and equipment and aircraft, and all these nations coming together, something very special. can you get a perspective from your military point of view, how big a deal was it, how impressive it is what they achieved? it is generally something that we would struggle to comprehend today. this was getting towards the end, thankfully, of what had been a total war for many years. the entire nation was engaged in the struggle. the entire industrial machinery was behind this. in that one moment of coming together, when the d—day landings were launched, that was, as i think you have been speaking about before, it was a make or break moment, it could not be redone, once they were committed that was it. thankfully it was successful. you were in the vip area today. not a bad list of vips, it has to be said, the queen, president of the united states, president of

france, and people who, frankly, you could see were in all of the people on stage, those 300 veterans. absolutely. it shows the certificates of that moment. d—day was one moment in a significant part of our history. at a crucial one. and for me, the heads of state, the heads of governments coming together, again itjust shows that strong alliance that was forged back in those dark times. what about for you personally? here we are in portsmouth. it is your city. it must be quite something to play host to this? i am incredibly proud. i have a huge honour of commanding the royal navy ships based here in portsmouth. i have that than portsmouth. i have that than portsmouth for 20 years. we have often portsmouth for 20 years. we have ofte n ha d portsmouth for 20 years. we have often had d—day celebrations. this particular one, d—day 75, that has been a crowning piece. we will inevitably in years to come no longer have those first—hand accounts. it is sobering to see these elderly men still bright—eyed, bushy tailed in many ways, but this

will at some stage become not first—hand, but history. how important is it that we continue to remember this? incredibly important as far as remember this? incredibly important as farasi remember this? incredibly important as far as i am concerned. why today was so special, i was stewed with a group of sailors that i had brought with me, most of whom i think were born after ijoined the royal navy. —— i was with a group of sailors. i spoke to someone who stood on the deck with king george v, speaking to king george vi, those sailors were able to speak to him. they sailed from jutland. to hear that, that sounded like ancient history in the classroom, they have met somebody involved in that. when young sailors have lessons in that sort of military aspect of the history, where it does d—day feature? does it feature in terms of logistics? we all think of the soldiers but of course there was a massive back—up

operation. yes, of course there was. it royal navy has a proud and illustrious history. d—day is significant for us. that royal navy, including the royal marines, played a huge part. that initial wave then had to be supported. the beach had had to be supported. the beach had had to be established. and then the break—outs, and beyond, and into germany. the logistics, the chain behind that. the innovation. the pipeline under the ocean. the fuel line that ran from here all the way over to the normandy beaches, just to fuel the tracks. never mind the amount of food and ammunition that had to go as well. miss it was a pleasure to meet you, thank you to much. we will have plenty more from portsmouth throughout the afternoon, but now let us catch up at the weather.

the initial day of the invasion was cold off because weather conditions we re cold off because weather conditions were so bad. dry points across much of england and wales this afternoon. you can see it is still raining in parts of scotland and northern ireland. a future hours across the west of england and wales. but now turning our attention to north—east france where rain will come southwards. a few showers possible inland across england, many races remaining dry with some clear skies. temperatures down into single figures for many. probably fastest in southern counties of england, wales and the north west. sunshine for many tomorrow to begin with. if you showers approaching and we will see some showers into northern ireland. range of the east coast of scotla nd ireland. range of the east coast of scotland will push its way in across the rest of northern scotland as we go through the afternoon. if the heavy and thundery showers across scotla nd heavy and thundery showers across scotland and wales later. mostly it

will be dry with some sunny spells. turning wet and windy into friday, brighter saturday. the queen wasjoined by theresa may, president trump, and other world leaders, to remember the allied invasion of nazi—occupied france. more than 300 veterans of the d—day landings gathered to remember the sacrifices of the thousands of men and women who fought to liberate europe. 75 years ago hundreds of thousands of young soldiers, sailors and airmen left these shores in the cause of freedom.

the invasion was the largest combined land, air and naval operation in history and one of the most decisive battles of the second world war. we'll have more on today's d—day commemorations throughout the afternoon, but first let's get some sport. good afternoon, many thanks. just after a few days of the champions league final. 0n the midfielder has indicated he wants a new challenge amid speculation he could leave the club. speaking to a newspaper in his native denmark he said he feels he is anyplace in his career where he wa nts to is anyplace in his career where he wants to try something new and is hoping for clarification on his future this summer. he has billing today move to spain, but has one year left on his spurs contract. he is yet to commit to an extension. staying with football, england are in portugal ahead of the nation's league semifinal against the netherlands tomorrow. they could have a new captain, sterling is

being tipped to lead with regular captain harry qian easing his way back from injury. scotland have departed for the women's world cup, they fully out of edinburgh this morning headed for nice, where they play england on sunday in the world cup opener. the first ever world cup for the team. anthony joshua cup opener. the first ever world cup for the team. anthonyjoshua has brushed off suggestions that he had a panic attack before his shock world heavy defeat in newark last weekend. knocked down four times, his opponent one to hand joshua the first defeat of his professional career. and what was one of the bigger shots of the sport's history. he will have the chance to wind his belt back later on this year in a rematch. i had no panic attack, like, iam rematch. i had no panic attack, like, i am not that type of person. what i'm going to keep on saying is that i have to take my loss like a

man. no blaming anyone, no blaming anything. iam man. no blaming anyone, no blaming anything. i am the one he went in there to perform and my performance did not go to plan. my game plan did not go to plan. i have to readjust and do my best to correct it and get thejob done. and do my best to correct it and get the job done. anthony joshua speaking on his youtube channel there. two games at the cricket world cup today. new zealand and bangladesh are playing at the oval while india and south africa is well under way in southampton. south africa winning the toss and deciding to beat first. that looked a per choice they were it he for— four to one point, before settling down and setting india a target. you can follow both of those matches on the bbc sports website this afternoon. johanna konta is playing the best dance of her career ahead of her

semifinal, according to sue barker. the last woman to wind the competition. barker believes konta is on the right frame of mind to belt and her success. it is wonderful to see her playing like this. i always felt like she could, two years ago when she got to the semifinals of australia and wimbledon doing so well. i thought this was it and then the debt happened. for me, she is playing even better now and it looks like she really believes in herself. i hope she can continue in that way, but it is one thing to get there and it is another to stay there. i think thatis it is another to stay there. i think that is what affected her last time, the pressure that comes of being at the pressure that comes of being at the top of the game and everybody expected new to get through to the latter stages of tournaments. it can really affect you mentally and she let it affect and she kept. having been there and suffered it once, hopefully she will know how to deal

with it this time. may finish with golf, look donald has qualified for his special champion step into yea rs. his special champion step into years. he is a former world number one and is now ranked 512. he will play next week after a qualifying eventin play next week after a qualifying event in ohio. former world number one, lee westwood missed out in their qualifying competition. that is also the bbc sport centre for now. back to you. here in portsmouth, the vips are still having their chats, their informal chats with some of the veterans, some of the 300 veterans who took pa rt some of the 300 veterans who took part in d—day. many of them are going to be getting on the vessel later for that trip to normandy, where they will then tomorrow

commemorate the day of the day. we will have much more on the commemorations injust will have much more on the commemorations in just a few moments. first let us take a look at some of the other news. the inquest into those killed in the london bridge attacks two years ago has heard that the team investigating one of the attackers, khuram butt, was not told that he'd been reported on the anti—terror hotline. eight people were killed and 48 injured when butt and two accomplices drove at people on london bridge and stabbed others in borough market. richard listerjoins us from the old bailey. that failure for that report about but being reported on the anti tear hotline was one of a number of what some of the councillors into this inquest has said were opportunities missed by the investigation team who had been looking at but for almost two years had been looking at but for almost two yea rs before had been looking at but for almost

two years before the attacks. yet, they had developed a lot of this evidence that came to light after the attack. we have been hearing from the police officer in charge of the investigation on the ground, a man identified in court only as witness m. he was working with m15 in this investigation and as well as the failure to find out this report of but and the anti—tear hotline, he also acknowledged in court today that he had not investigated the gym at which all three of the attackers had been meeting regularly in the months before the attack. it was suggested to him that this gym played a very important part in the attack planning and not to investigate exactly what was going on at the gym operated and operationally blinkered approach. he denied that saying there was no intelligence suggesting the gym is important, but acknowledge there are reports that this particular gem in east london has strong links to a man alleged to have been connected

toa man alleged to have been connected to a terrorist training camp in pakistan. witness m has finished giving his evidence and any last few minutes we have been hearing from the wife of one of the three attackers. the evidence has only been going for a very short time, she was asked about his political views and said he did not seem to have any extreme views. but she did recall one instance when they were speaking about the terror attack and murder of fusilier lee rigby back in 2013. she said her husband blamed the attack on the government. serious case reviews into the brutal murder of two toddlers have severely criticised social workers with northamptonshire council council. 0ne—year—old evelyn—rose muggleton was killed by her mother's partner last year, while two—year—old dylan tiffin brown was killed by his father in 2017. the case reviews paint a picture of chaos in

the children services department, with a high turnover of staff, high sickness levels and heavy caseloads. caroline davies reports. two young children both killed at the hands of violent men. what more could have been done to save them? today to movies were published about how different agencies in northampton were involved before the toddlers died. dyla n dylan tiffin brown was a toddler when he was killed by his father. shortly before his death he was fined any property with access to drugs and police found he was left on his own firm nep are time. evelyn

rose muggleton was admitted to hospital with a bleed in the brain and later died. her mother's partner was convicted of murder and sentenced to prison. the review found that there had been several missed opportunities where information could have been shared between different agencies, including by the police. northamptonshire council has struggled with its finances, this is not the first time that the children's services have been under pressure. last month an independent report described it as very fragile. the new director said there is still a long way to go. since i have been in northampton i have found that there things that need to be put right and that the organisation has been endeavouring to put right for sometime and is working very hard and putting things right. but there isa and putting things right. but there is a way to go, there are improvements undoubtedly still a way to go. today's reviews say there are

lessons that must be learnt so that services do what they can to stop tragic deaths like these happening again. the queen is still here. i can see the presidential motorcade are still here as well. that is what is, frankly, one of the most remarkable car parks in the country right now. the cards are beginning to pull up, so ceremonies are dry to a close here. i'm joined now by brigadier general lowell thomas —— the canadian defence attache. what did you make of it?|j what did you make of it? i thought it was an absolutely amazing event. to pull together both the heads of government, the royals and also the number of veterans was absolutely belt on. i think doing a tear in portsmouth just belt on. i think doing a tear in

portsmouthjust added belt on. i think doing a tear in portsmouth just added that little bit of magic to it. different countries will remember different parts of that operation. the app is a town that is in many canadian's parts. yes, absolutely. it was one of the key elements, where canadians we re of the key elements, where canadians were involved. they sustained significant losses, but lessons were learnt and subsequently we were able to serve many of the lives of those who are involved in the d—day invasions. to have our prime minister actually follow through with the statement from a victoria cross winner was wonderful.m with the statement from a victoria cross winner was wonderful. it was an interesting mix, the theatre, the story, the story about the weather which is absolutely crucial. this is the day it should have happened, they had to delay by 24—hour is. do you think they got the mix right?

because the most important people by the veterans here, wednesday?” think they did. to show the veterans and esau that as people were talking, it was about the veterans. it was not about who is serving now are the heads of government, it was about the veterans. if you are in the tense right now what you would see is it is all about the veterans. vetera ns a re see is it is all about the veterans. veterans are moving forward, they are talking to heads of government, they are talking to the royals, talking to people who have never heard them before. is d-day still a big feature in skills in canada? not as much so, that is why i think events like this today are great they bring it back to the forefront. we saw the average age, we are talking 93 to 102 years old for the majority of veterans here, it is great that we get the story is nigh,

because they were not always be here to share their stories. i think it is great for my generation ideas of today to learn. there are those to say that when the last of those batteries are gone is the time to perhaps move on? —— the last of those veterans are gone.” perhaps move on? —— the last of those veterans are gone. i think we should learn from our past and tell the stories. we should hear the stories, capture the stories and replay them to the other today, so they understand the sacrifice of the individuals involved. the role of all countries is being celebrated here today. i am just wondering as i look over your shoulder, we have various vips now leaving. as they depart, do you think that events in france will be more solemn? because

if you go to france, the one thing that really strikes reissue cannot drive more than a few hundred yards as it is a small cemetery. it is very sobering. it is exceptionally sobering to see that. when you talk to the veterans and they are back on the ground, the memories come flooding back a bit more and the horrors that they lived for. i think it is very emotional for them, even today was very emotional for them, it was very emotional for me to see how it would impact on them. i think you are right, tomorrow will be even more so when they get to those grounds and see what i thought and see whether friends spell. that is something we cannot forget i need to remember. however this play out at home? be much interest thousand of miles away from here?” home? be much interest thousand of miles away from here? i think you will. the gravitas of having the government and the royal family here, the news will report its, i think it is a great way to get people to remember and to remember

our veterans. just remembering when you visit these various sites yourself, on a personal level, how does it feel? for someone in your possession, a military manjust to see what happens? it is pretty amazing, it is actually to relive, i think that is what it is. what i find quite emotional is to see how it is remembered here and to watch how people commemorated here and the other today remember. just up the road there is a commemoration and the skill carries on with a play of the skill carries on with a play of the events. it is an amazing event. finally, did you want to pinch yourself looking around this morning? yes, it was amazing to see

other heads of government. i deftly had that going on. but i've always been spat, it is nice to see in there, but it is by the vets. for me there, but it is by the vets. for me the best part was hearing their stories back in the tents. so great to talk to you. the focus as we have been hearing from everybody is about the veterans themselves. we will have plenty more from portsmouth throughout this afternoon, but now it is time for the business news. afternoon welcome to the business news. sir philip green's retail group, arcadia, is holding a crucial meeting with its creditors as it tries to avoid administration. the company plans to close around a dozen stories. last night sir philip agreed to put an extra £25 million

into the grips pension fund. 0ur business correspondence is the outcome is uncertain. lots of retailers had done his restructuring deals and they have all passed, but this one is the most complex and contentious of our. last night, as you said, sir philip green got the backing of the pension regulator, that was absolutely crucial. today it is all down to the landlords and they will have to accept severe rent cuts and they are not happy. in the end it all comes down to individual commercial interest, some right is better than no rent. the company says if this deal does not go through they are likely to face administration. the high court is reviewing the decision to raise the legal retirement age for women from 60 to 66. now this follows accusations of mishandling at the department

for work and pensions. campaign groups claim that nearly 4 million women born in the 1950s were not given sufficient warning of the changes and had no time to financially prepare for their retirement. earlier we spoke to helen morrissey — royal london group — pension's specialist. we have had a steady track where state pension ages for women have been increased. not so long ago the state pension age for women was 65, but the government plans in place to bring it up to 65 to bring it in line with men. basically, they women have an issue with the speed at which these changes are being put through and how they were communicated. some women wear 58, 59 thinking they would retire at 60 and finding out that their retirement age will be 65. more of that on our website. we do not seem to have been markets on our board, but i can tell

you that the asian market gained. the ftse 100 you that the asian market gained. the ftse100 has been in positive territory for most of the day. we're live in portsmouth, as a day of events are underway to commemorate the 75th anniversary of d—day. looking over my shoulder, the royal standard has been replaced by the union flag, so expect the queen to be leaving quite soon. the beast, the presidential motorcade is preparing to depart, so the vips now having spoken to the veterans are preparing to head to their various destinations from here. let's talk now to military historian james daly, from the d day story museum —— a museum dedicated to the allied invasion injune 19114. it tells the unique personal stories behind d day. portsmouth was crucial 75 years ago.

it was in so many ways, so many of the trips gathered here is a many of them left from points in portsmouth. lots of the cut that was built and designed here, the decision to go just before d—day was taken just a few miles from portsmouth. notjust geographically, portsmouth was at the centre of what happened. there have been events here before, anything like this? not quite like this. i remember the 50th anniversary, but this is something else. the moment many people remember is when john jenkins, else. the moment many people remember is whenjothenkins, one of the veteran stood up and told the public his story. he works at a museum and comes in several times a week to have a chat with people and tell everybody his story, he is a remarkable man. a lot of the people we have spoken to have said that the vetera ns we have spoken to have said that the vete ra ns ha d we have spoken to have said that the veterans had not ray spoken about

the event until now. it is still something ifind very the event until now. it is still something i find very hard. the event until now. it is still something i find very hardm the event until now. it is still something i find very hard. it is obviously a very personal thing, some people like to talk about it and for some it takes a little bit more time. in recent years the vetera ns more time. in recent years the veterans realise their own not so many of them around now, they realised if they want their story to be told now is a very important time. bettering spoken to recently has been remarkably candid anywhere they want years ago. in terms of your museum, how busy is it? yes, definitely. there is still a huge interest. when are so many senior vetera ns interest. when are so many senior veterans around now, it is not so much about reminiscence, it is more about people genuinely wanted to come to learn. many people ask what does the de mean? we have a com pletely does the de mean? we have a completely blank slate. it isjust a general term? completely blank slate. it isjust a generalterm? yesjust completely blank slate. it isjust a general term? yesjust a general term. it was said at the time you

could almost walk to the isle of wight on the books because they were so many of them. yes, we have heard that a lot from people who lived at the time. another phrase we hear a lot from people who are living in the area of the time is that we knew something was happening. they saw these troops going into the city but did not know where they were going or what was going to happen to them. james, great to talk to you. the weather today is next, but the sun is out at the moment. attempts to predict the weather played a crucial part in the preparations for d—day. military planners wanted to ensure calm seas, tidal patterns and the light from the moon would all work in the allies' favour. 0ur weather presenter, carol kirkwood has spent the morning at southwick house, around ten miles north of here, to see how meteorologists plotted the best time to attack. i'm in southwick house near

portsmouth, in the actual d—day map room with the actual d—day map used for the launch. now, the weather played an important role in deciding when to invade, so let us find out why. months and years of waiting were over. planning an operation as important as d—day took months. but despite the greatest military position, there was one thing they could not predict... the weather. the requirements are strict, a combination of clear skies, a full moon, calm seas and a low tide were all needed to make d—day a success. this put enormous pressure on meteorologists to identify a suitable weather window, at a time when projecting just 24—hour is ahead with a challenge. the man responsible for advising general eisenhower on the best day to launch the invasion was group captain james stagg.

i had long had at the back of my mind the tactical use of weather, just to be able to pick out some little interlude which would be unknown to the enemy forces that would allow us to make use of it and catch the people on the other side unawares. heading out to sea after a 24—hour delay because of the weather. the invasion was originally planned for the 5th ofjune, but after stagg predicted bad weather in the channel it was postponed by 2a—hours. in the end, the weather on d—day was not ideal. strong winds and rough seas made for a difficult landing. but if the troops and waited for the next window, the fleet would have been battered by one of the worst summer storms to hit the english channel in decades. as it was, the success of stagg's forecast allowed the church to add on the french beaches and the tide of world war ii began to turn.

now it's time for a look at today's weather with matt taylor. weather conditions there on the south coast are much better then they wear today. lots of rain over they wear today. lots of rain over the past 24—hour is in northern ireland, nearly a month's rate of rain. we had a few showers to western parts of england and wales. now training our attention to the south—east, some rain this evening. merely part of kent towards east anglia. for many, it will be dry but partly clear skies and if he missed and fog patches tonight. as we head into tomorrow morning it'll be a little bit on the far side, temperatures down to the single figures. here we will see the sun is whether to begin with in south—west wales, it will become elizabeth's mobile spread throughout the day.

rain putting into the northern parts of scotland. if you heavy and thundery showers there and in northern ireland. in the plan dry sunshine it will feel quite pleasant, but a wetter weather in england and wales on friday pushing into northern ireland and scotland on saturday.

this is bbc news. i'm simon mccoy in portsmouth where commemorations are under way to mark the 75th anniversary of d—day. the queen isjoined by theresa may, president trump, and other world leaders in portsmouth, to remember the allied invasion of nazi—occupied france. 75 years ago hundreds of thousands of young soldiers, sailors and airmen left these shores in the cause of freedom. more than 300 veterans of the d—day landings gathered to remember the sacrifices of the thousands of men and women who fought to liberate europe.

lam i am honoured to be stood here today in front of so many other veterans. you'd never remember your comrades because we were all in it together. it is right that the courage and sacrifice of so many is being honoured 75 years on. we must never forget. the invasion was the largest combined land, air and naval operation in history and one of the most decisive battles of the second world war. nato paratroopers honoured the d—day airborne operations by parachuting out of spitfire planes over normandy. and in other news at 3 o'clock. social workers are severely criticised over the murders of two toddlers in northamptonshire. creditors vote on whether to accept a rescue deal for sir philip green's retail group, arcadia.

and women born in the 1950s take the government to court, over the way their pension ages were increased. good afternoon — we're live in portsmouth, where the queen has led commemorations to mark the 75th anniversary of d—day. asi as i speak to you we are watching as marine one takes off, carrying the president of the united states. the president of the united states. the president of the united states and the first lady are heading off to ireland, this marks the end of their three—day state visit to the uk. it

isa three—day state visit to the uk. it is a remarkable site. to helicopters monitoring the progress of marine one as it makes its way away from the shores of the uk but of course d—day will not be forgotten by the president, he is heading back to france tomorrow for the commemorations of the 75th anniversary of d—day. the focus is very much today was on the veterans. they have been joined by world leaders of the countries which fought alongside britain, in one of the most decisive battles of the second world war. the invasion was the largest combined land, airand naval operation in history. duncan kennedy has our first report on today's events, to remember the sacrifices of the thousands of men and women who battled to liberate europe from nazi occupation. 75 years ago portsmouth was a waiting room for war.

today, that place of fear—filled departure became a space for memory—laden recollection. among them, able seaman bert edwards. at the time i had no idea it was as vicious as it was. from thousands, to hundreds, the numbers of veterans may be dwindling, but the pride they take and the respect they are given is undiminished. # all over the world... 16 world leaders are here to absorb the nostalgia and pay tribute to sacrfice.

2,500 americans were to die on d—day. it was the second worst single day of losses for the united states in world war ii. almighty god, our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavour, a struggle to preserve our republic, our religion, and our civilisation, and to set free a suffering humanity. while the great armada of ships bears down... the scale of d—day was as breathtaking as its ambition. the grinding of keels on shingle. 0ur troops spill ashore across that open stretch menaced by enemy gunfire... 4,000 landing craft 12,000 aircraft, 156,000 troops, including the royal marines. when we threw smoke bombs through the slits they were coming out in long johns.

they'd been asleep. eric carter landed at dawn, 18 years old, an unknown enemy ahead, an undaunting belief in the mission. how frightening a day was d—day? i do not know. most of us were youngsters. it was like cowboys and indians to us. i cannot say i was really scared. because how can you be scared when you do not know what is going to happen? the troop landing craft was packed to full capacity. there was no cover for the army. just standing, sitting. britain lost around 1,500 men on d—day. the prime minister reflected on that human cost by recalling a letter found on the body of a captain, written to his wife. my darling, this is a very difficult letter for me to write. as you know, something may

happen at any moment. and i cannot tell when you will receive this. i had hoped to be able to see you during last weekend, but it was impossible to get away. and all the things i intended to say, must be written. i am sure that anyone with imagination must dislike the thought of what is coming. but my fears will be more of being afraid, than of what can happen to me. you and i have had some lovely years... those who survived the horrors of the normandy beaches,

have twilighted into their tenth decade, but today that vast arc of time was bridged with vivid memories. it is with humility and pleasure, on behalf of the entire country, indeed, the entire free world, thank you. # we'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when. tributes and reflections. a moment to recall that d—day depended on numbers, planning, luck, subterfuge, and courage. a brittle collective of resolve, timimg, and the momentum of history. a great enterprise of liberation that helped bring the evil domination of nazism to an end. an extraordinarily powerful and emotive event today. with none of the politics that we had yesterday. just the sheer humanity of commemoration. president trump himself will fly off to ireland now.

but he will be joining all the other leaders that were here today in northern france for tomorrow's main event where we are expected to see some very moving events. many of you will be tuning in because you are expecting to see a flight because you are expecting to see a flight of dakotas before they head to normandy. we are expecting their planes to set off shortly. there you can see, in a row, with huge crowds there, getting ready to depart. some are, we are told, are on their way. they are heading for the french coast. they will fly over colchester and eastbourne before heading out over the english channel. as they reach france they will pass over le havre and go to the historic british drop zone. 0ur colleague is in

france, in normandy, awaiting their arrival. it will be a quite remarkable site. there are thousands of people just behind the camera where you cannot see, thousands of people lining what is essentially a road through a wheat field. this is where everything was happening on the fifth and 6th ofjune. it is hard to believe looking at this site now that there were hundreds of people on that night dropping into these fields, moving out to protect the british flag, and this is what we have seen again this afternoon, nearly 200 british and american paratroopers dropping from the skies with those khaki parachutes, heading down to the fields, being greeted by rounds of applause from the people here as well. we have seen already won here as well. we have seen already wo n da kota , here as well. we have seen already won dakota, a spitfire, part of the battle of britain memorial flight, around these fields, again, people looking up to the skies. nobody talking, everybody listening to the

rumble of that engine, and watching what was happening. the next and people are waiting for is what they call dakotas over normandy. possibly the last time we will see this. 30 da kota the last time we will see this. 30 dakota aircraft are going to be flying over here. and to aeroplane enthusiasts they are an absolute workhorse, there are only 2000 left flying, it is extraordinary when you think about it, but they built around 18,000 of them in total. you are probably wondering what it feels like to be up there in the sky and to drop you onto the ground. i am joined ba corporalfrom to drop you onto the ground. i am joined ba corporal from 16 medical regiment. when you were up here, when you were getting in to the plane, you knew where you are coming and why. a huge build-up of emotions. it is amazing. you get into the plane, a mixture of excitement, anticipation and nerves.

you go through your drills and your skills. you know that when you get off the drop zone you are going to come into this big crowd and you know why everyone is here so you wa nt to know why everyone is here so you want to make it as special as you can for the veterans so that they can for the veterans so that they can feel appreciated and we can recognise what they did 75 years ago today. what goes through your mind? you were dropping down to a large and appreciative crowd and what they we re and appreciative crowd and what they were coming into 75 years ago, heavy cloud cover, fierce fire, knowing that as soon as they hit the ground, people would be attacking them. does that run through your mind as you are falling through the sky? what goes through, we have a moment of tranquillity but it is peaceful and quiet after the noise of the aircraft and the shouting, it gives you the opportunity to enjoy and reflect on what they would have done 75 years ago. it would have been extremely different to what we did today and we cannot imagine what they did on that day 75 years ago but it gives you that moment to reflect a nd but it gives you that moment to reflect and enjoy it. i feel to honour and privilege that i have

been part of this today. the fact that you look around and all of your collea g u es that you look around and all of your colleagues were there at the same time. french paratroopers as well where the air, taking part, alongside you. yes, it was brilliant. it was great working with the french. we had american soldiers as well. some of the soldiers in the allied forces would have been doing that 75 years ago. it is good we are still working together 75 years ago. the foundations that relate 75 years ago where they managed to liberate nazi occupied europe, and peace in europe ever since, it is fantastic 75 years later to say that we still have peace and we are all friends. and also to reflex on every single element. people think about d—day andi element. people think about d—day and i think they often think about that landing craft coming onto the beaches early on the morning of the 6th ofjune and people somehow do not remember what was happening in the hours before that. those thousands of troops coming in to do this absolutely essential work to secure those areas, to take the first bridges, take the first towns,

at the beaches as well. absolutely. the film is put on the beaches and beach landings but there were so many things going on in the background. the airborne soldiers would have landed behind enemy lines and taken positions, that had they not taken, the success of that operation 75 years ago may not have been possible. it is important to remember that behind—the—scenes and behind enemy lines people were doing amazing things. risking life and limb to do this and make this such a success. it was written's most complicated mission in history and the fact they pulled it off so well, it just shows the fact they pulled it off so well, itjust shows how the fact they pulled it off so well, it just shows how well everyone worked as a big team. —— britain's most complicated mission. thank you. notjust for doing the most complicated mission. thank you. not just for doing the drop most complicated mission. thank you. notjust for doing the drop but for throwing yourself into this afterwards. what we are waiting for now is this collection of 30 da kotas, now is this collection of 30 dakotas, which will be so loud at that point we will not be able to hear ourselves think. we are hoping

the red devils will be part of that and our two veterans will be part of that as well. it depends on the weather. this is what we hope to see in the next few hours. we will all keep our fingers crossed. there are delays, i know. when you drive around the towns where you are now, everyone there, all the street names, everything has something to do with d—day. it is still very important in that particular area of france. it really is. to drive around, there are flags out on the streets, every restau ra nt, are flags out on the streets, every restaurant, every guest house, seems to have a world war ii theme. what was poignant, driving around today, the poppies are blooming in patches around the roads. you see that image everywhere. it feels, on a day like today, and certainly on a day like tomorrow, it brings it home, it makes it feel very real. great to talk to you. talk to you later on.

the flights, as far as we know, from duxford, has been delayed. we will keep you informed as to any developments there. 0bviously that will have an impact on what is happening in normandy. and they are waiting for that. it was notjust a naval operation. it was also an air operation. all parts of the armed services are marking today the 75th anniversary, not of the day, but of the day before. today it was supposed to take place but because of the weather a delay of 24—hour is. that spitfire, the iconic image of the second world war, attracting a lot of attention from the serving military as you can see there. 300 vetera ns military as you can see there. 300 veterans who were there 75 years ago, they are on a special charter on board boudicca. it is a chance for them to reflect on theirjourney

to the normandy beaches and reflect on the thousands of comrades who never returned. jim grant's d—day began on board a landing craft, lumbering through the surf towards the normandy beaches. 75 years older, he was afloat again, guest of the royal marines on a windswept ride across poole harbour. a lot better than i thought it would be. it would have taken us four times as long to get round the old way. the boudicca's arrival in poole gave the 300 veterans and their companions a taste of what was to come on both sides of the channel. it makes you feel so proud and yet humble at the same time. you feel humble, can you imagine how i feel? i do not deserve to be here. they are the heroes of d—day.

it is everything that we are celebrating now, really, really excited to be part of this and to be with my grandad and have memories that i can keep forever. 0n the quayside, men who had stumbled ashore weighed down with weapons and equipment, men who helped supply the bridgehead, examined the tools of modern warfare. my goodness! i could not have ran with that! the excitement among veterans was infectious. men in their 90s scrambling to get in on the action. some could not quite believe they were here. i thought i had got past it and that i could not do it. yes, he did not think he could make another voyage to normandy. we cannot comprehend what these ladies and gentlemen did for us,

to give us our freedom, we cannot comprehend it. not far away, curiosity of different kind. how did you win all of your medals? it is a humbling experience to hear what they remember so clearly and to remember what that did for all of our lives there afterwards. they are amazing people and it was a privilege to meet them today. today, the veterans disembarked in the port where many of them boarded ships in 19114. they believe these commemorations will help them pass on the baton of remembrance. it is very important to remember this, because otherwise hitler might have taken us over but thankfully that did not happen. it is something you will never see again, will you? i suppose this will be the real last commemoration for this sort of thing. everybody is getting so old we will soon disappear. we have children and grandchildren

and they are very interested and i think it should be remembered. i think a lot of people died for where we are today. they may be dwindling in number, but the survivors of d—day will tell you it is their duty to be here. robert hall, bbc news, southsea. your father was on the beaches of normandy, tell me what his role was. he landed on the second wave on sword beach on d—day. he went in on a landing craft as they all did at the time. a landing craft of infantry. the coxwain beach to the

landing craft, the troops were in at six feet of water, the day started pretty wet, the same as thousands of others. it is something you do not think of. they had heavy uniforms, soaking wet, it must have been a very difficult thing to do even before you got onto the beach, just to get there. he was very lucky that one of his friends was a bit taller. what do you know about what he did over the next 2a hours and the next weeks? my father's battalion was tasked with providing the security for the beach at sword. to make sure that the germans would be repelled if they made a counter attack. that the germans would be repelled if they made a counter attackm sounds very matter of fact that it must have been terrifying. yes, i think so. did he talk to you about its match question that he talks very little, the same as most of the vetera ns very little, the same as most of the veterans from that time, they did not talk much about it at all. did you want to know? i did. i asked

him. there must have been moments when, perhaps on days like this, where we were commemorating d—day, when he was alive, did he, as we have seen with veterans today, they sort of come alive when they see some of theirformer sort of come alive when they see some of their former colleagues being interviewed, there is a very special relationship between vetera ns. special relationship between veterans. yes. i know that he attended some of the unions in later yea rs attended some of the unions in later years from his regiment. the last thing that my brother and i did with dad was to take him to the cenotaph, if you months before he died. that was a nice thing for us to do as well. i bet you have a lump in your throat today? i did, a couple of times. that was a magnificent show. what an event. what was it particularly? everybody will have a certain moment where they feel that slump in their throat. for some people it is the music for their music. for some people it might have

been the queen or donald trump speaking about an event that meant so much to them personally. for me it is the veterans. this event is about the veterans. it is about my father and the pride in what he did. my father and the pride in what he did. my dad would have been very proud about what nation has done here today to commemorate what he and his collea g u es today to commemorate what he and his colleagues did all years ago. as well as being the son of a veteran, you are a serving naval officer. you have two views of this? i do. i think we did very well. i think the service was well represented here today. it is good to see that young sailors involved because they are 20 yea rs sailors involved because they are 20 years old, that is around the age my father was when he bent over, and 20—year—olds were well represented today. we are looking at pictures of donald trump. —— my father was when he went over. the prime minister of

canada, the german chancellor, the queen, the president of the united states, how important that they were here to commemorate? they represented all the nations and countries involved, and at top level as well. long may that continue when we are commemorating events like this. as he boards air force one, we have up as he had the state visit for the last few days. it has gone from the pomp and the ceremony of the royal bits, then there was the business yesterday, the sombre mood of commemoration that we saw this morning was mixed, it is often the case, we are criticised for using the word celebration, but there is an element of celebration at what was achieved. there certainly is, yes, and they spoke so well, and they added that celebration side to they added that celebration side to the commemorative side. when you we re the commemorative side. when you were watching the ceremony today, obviously you were thinking about

your father, you were thinking about all those that he served alongside. ijust wonder, is all those that he served alongside. i just wonder, is there a all those that he served alongside. ijust wonder, is there a moment where we need to move on or we —— or should we remember this every year? i think we should commemorate this, perhaps not every year, perhaps every five years or so, but we should not forget what they have done, what a turning point in history this was. thank you. thank you. good to talk to you. we will be back from portsmouth in just a few moments. now for some other news. the inquest into those killed in the london bridge attacks two years ago has heard that the team investigating one of the attackers, was not told that he'd been reported on the anti—terror hotline. eight people were killed and 48 injured when butt and two accomplices drove at people on london bridge and stabbed others in borough market.

richard lister gave us the latest from the old bailey. that report about butt being reported on the anti—terror hotline. 0pportunities missed by the investigation team who had been looking at him for almost two years before that london bridge terror attacks yet they had overlooked a lot of this evidence that came to light after the attack. we have been hearing from the police officer in charge of the investigation on the ground. a man identified in court only as witness emma, he was working with m15 on this investigation, and as well as the failure to find out about this report he also acknowledged in court today that he had not investigated the gymnasium which all three of the attackers had been meeting in regularly in the months before the attack. —— identified in court only as witness

m. it was said in court what was going on at this gymnasium, represented a blinkered approach. he said intelligence suggested this gymnasium was important but he acknowledged there were reports that this particular gymnasium in east london has strong links to a man alleged to have been connected to a terrorist training camp in pakistan. witness m has finished giving his evidence and in the last few minutes we have been hearing from another witness who was married to one of the three attackers. the evidence has been going for a short time that she was asked about his political views and said, he did not seem to have any extreme views, but she did recall one incident when they were talking about is that terror attack and murder of fusilier lee rigby in 2013, she said that she and her

brother were talking about that attack, and he blames that attack on the government. serious case reviews into the deaths of two toddlers. the case reviews painta of two toddlers. the case reviews paint a picture of chaos in the children's services, high turnover of staff, high sickness levels, heavy turnover. two young children, both killed at the hands of violent men. what more could have been done to save them? today two reviews were published about how different agencies in northampton were involved before the toddlers died. 0ne northampton were involved before the toddlers died. one of the toddlers was two years old when he was murdered by his father, a drug

dealer. he was given a sentence of a minimum of 2a years. the report shows that two months before the death, police discovered the toddler and his father's care in a property with access to drugs and that he was left on his own for periods of time. the family was given a social worker but up until his death no observation was made of the toddler. another victim was one—year—old when she was admitted to hospital with bleeding on the brain, she died shortly afterwards. the review found there had been several missed opportunities where information could have been shared between different agencies, including police. northamptonshire council has struggled with its finances. this is not the first time that children's services have been under pressure. last month's report

described it as fragile. the new director says there is still a long way to go. since i have been in northampton i have found that there are things that need to be put right, and the organisation has been endeavouring to put right for some time, and is working very hard in putting things right. but there is a way to go. there are improvements undoubtedly, but there is still a way to go. today's reviews say that their art lessons that must be learned so that services can do what they can to stop tragic deaths like these happening again. we were taken straight back to portsmouth and simon. anybody you talked to today about the events is not talking about president trump or at the queen, they are talking about the veterans. iam they are talking about the veterans. i am actually joined they are talking about the veterans. i am actuallyjoined by one of the vetera ns, i am actuallyjoined by one of the veterans, eric. he landed on gold

beach 75 years ago. let us just talk about what we have seen today, wattage and make of that ceremony?” thought it was an amazing piece and the organisation, i do not know how long it is taken them, i was astonished really. i did not realise the scale it was going to be. when you saw the images playing in the background, the images of that day, what was going through your mind? well... it was very accurate. none of us were really too sure what was going on, really. do you remember how you felt unginned effect? the day before? where were you, what was going on? we were doing some

exercises and getting wet already. 0n the day it was a bit difficult to convince us that it was not another exercise, really, this time it was for real. yes, obviously we were not very keen. and also, we got extremely seasick. he would have spent many hours just not knowing when you were going. , yes. it's been delayed, handed? for sundays. you are 19 years old on that day, you are 94 now. as he eventually realised this is it and you are on your way, what does that feel like? difficult to say, really. i think they had tried to convince us all that we were, we has got something special to do and we had not much

idea how to do it! beyond that, i am not sure what emotions people generally had. 0bviously, not sure what emotions people generally had. obviously, we were not exactly looking forward to it. what is your first memory of the moment you realised we are about to land and this is about to happen? well, i mean, it was all go then. we pulled ourselves together, through our helmets on, our trousers, we still got soaking wet. we made for the beach. i think it is fair to say that the worst of the opposition has probably passed by the time we landed. you know, the earlier assault had probably cleared the

lower pa rt assault had probably cleared the lower part of the beaches anyhow. there were still a lot of gunfire and of course sadly for the first time of our lives are a dead bodies all over the place. it was a sad sight, shocking sight to us, i suppose. you were on gold beach, one of the three british beaches. you describe bodies around you, as a 19—year—old what kept you going? well, i suppose we were not allowed not to, really, i suppose. well, i suppose we were not allowed not to, really, isuppose. would be like that? i mean, we did not give out, we just like that? i mean, we did not give out, wejust did like that? i mean, we did not give out, we just did what we were supposed to do think. kept moving up and... and reached higher ground,

you know, we did have a few casualties before be finally got to high ground. when you got to that higher ground was a sense of relief? 0h, higher ground was a sense of relief? oh, yes, i think so. higher ground was a sense of relief? oh, yes, ithink so. yes, yes. all ofa oh, yes, ithink so. yes, yes. all of a sudden, we have done that, yes. the rest of the day is very vehicle. there is one thing that is always a possibility though, for one reason or another it was either that they are the next that everybody was required to hand in their gas masks. i never did know why. i neverfound out to this day what's the point was and why all of a sudden having carried them around for a year or more we were suddenly, we had to pa rt more we were suddenly, we had to part with them all. i know none of

you that i have ever spoken to has ever described yourselves as brave. do you not think of a braver day? no, not really. we were kids lots of us no, not really. we were kids lots of us really, i suppose. had ever wa nted us really, i suppose. had ever wanted to talk about it? have members of your family ever said what did you do? are you comfortable talking about it? not terribly, do not think, no. there's a little bit of anger that it ever happened at all, i suppose. of anger that it ever happened at all, isuppose. my of anger that it ever happened at all, i suppose. my earlierfamily, my fathers and brothers, first world war vetera ns my fathers and brothers, first world war veterans and my father was badly wounded and died when i was quite young and one of my brothers was killed. so, you know... they had had a bad time in their war. yes. so, killed. so, you know... they had had a bad time in theirwar. yes. so, i

think there was a bit of latent anger i think. that, you know, that war could happen again like that. what did the rest of the war hold for you? because d—day was the start ofa for you? because d—day was the start of a very long campaign. after about, i do not know how many days it was, that i got captured and ended up a prisoner of war. we made a very unwise attack and it all went wrong and we were stuck... there we re wrong and we were stuck... there were about 20 of us, i think. about 20 of us with the sergeant major at the time. i was the only one hindi anything about the radio, i have been a radioman all my life. —— only

one who knew anything about the radio. so it was all, fix this, the telephone wires have been shot down. soi telephone wires have been shot down. so i got myjackknife out and cut of the telephone wire and stuck it on the telephone wire and stuck it on the radio and got it to go again. you know, i made contact with company headquarters and they did not know what to do either. their only advice was to stay where we were. i do not know to this day if that was good advice or not why whether if i had not which we have been better or worse. within a short time we stayed where we were and all ofa time we stayed where we were and all of a sudden out of the woods came a tank with a lot of german infantry, so we did not stand a chance. we we re so we did not stand a chance. we

were simply captured, you know, the 20 of us. our own platoon commander had been killed i think, the night before. so, there we were. however you treated as a present for?m varied, it varied from place to place. —— treated as a prisoner of war stop we were taking to a rather horribly dungeon place for a while. for several weeks, we were very pearly fed and so forth. —— hurley said.

i suspect when you say you are a bit, that is a bit of an understatement. well it was impetigo, actually. i cut it of a canadian soldier, i think. i unwisely led to my razor, i think. now you are 94 and you look back, there must be very private thoughts for those who never came back. well... yes, obviously, ithinki probably think of the waste of it all. it was a terrible waste really of... you know, i cannot feel sort of... you know, i cannot feel sort of gung ho about it. he had been back to the beaches once or twice.”

have not since, actually. i have not been back to normandy. do you want to? not particularly. actually, my grandson, robert, he thought it would be nice if we went across and idid not would be nice if we went across and i did not want to do that, no. i did not want to go across to normandy again. that would be too difficult? not too difficult, i did not really, i perhaps did not want to, perhaps i could not see what i bit achieve from the experience. my smack there area from the experience. my smack there are a lot of people saying that as the veterans get older, inevitably, it is not long where there will not be any and this becomes real history as opposed to first—hand accounts like years and that we should move

on. why is it important that we remember the events of that day and that period? remember the events of that day and that period ? clearly, remember the events of that day and that period? clearly, it broke through a stalemate and the finish of the war. we did not realise at the time that in effect it did do that. the start of this huge invasion, i mean, ifelt sorry in a way that we got so much adulation for this where troops in north africa and italy and so on might well have felt a bit aggrieved about this after all the years and months they had been struggling on.” this after all the years and months they had been struggling on. i am in all, because i have met many vetera ns all, because i have met many veterans over the years and you all have this, this sense of well, we

we re have this, this sense of well, we were just have this, this sense of well, we werejust doing ourjob. have this, this sense of well, we were just doing ourjob. yes. but it was more than that. there are generation since you are here because of what you did. do you sometimes appreciate that? well, i suppose so. i suppose i do not know what would have happened if we had lost. we can only imagine, can't we? 0ur province of germany. i have no idea, i mean, we... how did it affect your life? how have you lived your life since as a result? the thing i think i do feel is that we definitely wanted to get back to normality very quickly. you know, because a lot of us unlike now, we wa nted because a lot of us unlike now, we wanted to settle down and to stop and get all myjobs that we wanted

to do. we wanted to get married, you know, generally, reintroduce a normal civilian life. perhaps more than one might do now even. i think so. i have been to the beaches over the years, one of the interesting aspects of that is whenever you see aspects of that is whenever you see a veteran there is always children who want to talk to them and ask them questions. do you think it is important that generations perhaps for many years to come remember what happened on those beaches? do think they will? i mean it'll alljust become recent history, like, like the first war and the various wards before that. i would not have

thought that we would look on it in a very different light, perhaps. i would rather they did not, i think. do you think, well, do think you're a hero? do you think you were brave that day? particularly, no. no, one was scared. i wasjust pondering as the camera looked at the queen and donald trump and looked at all the leaders, there was angola merkel. —— there was angela. i hope it

continues, brexit worries me. in that respect, i cannot help feeling that respect, i cannot help feeling that it would be an awful shame, it was so much trouble to do, to get the european nations together, to break it all up now would be a crying shame, i feel. break it all up now would be a crying shame, ifeel. finally, break it all up now would be a crying shame, i feel. finally, what about the queen? who was their 75 yea rs about the queen? who was their 75 years ago. her family, about the queen? who was their 75 years ago. herfamily, they must have been in your thoughts when you had been in that boat on those seas heading to, well, you did not know what? the queen in particular, she is about my age, really. she is slightly younger than i am. you are fighting for king and country. slightly younger than i am. you are fighting for king and country] yes. i did eventually go on the victory parade in london. i saw the

queen then for the first time on that occasion. has anybody recently said thank you? i do not think so, no. and i? just on behalf of everybody watching, say thank you. well, thank you. eric, a great pleasure to meet you. are you finished now? so, what will you do with this? we still have some work to do. what will you do? you have just been alive across the nation, should have warned you. now you tell me. the veterans are what this day and this event has been about. the person he knows that the most

perhaps as the queen. she was very much the focus about ceremony today. let us just much the focus about ceremony today. let usjust remind much the focus about ceremony today. let us just remind ourselves of what she said as she spoke to those gathered to watch. your excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, when i attended the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the d—day landings some thought it might be the last of such event. but the wartime generation, my generation is resilient and i and delighted to be with you in portsmouth today. 75 yea rs with you in portsmouth today. 75 years ago hundreds and thousands of young soldiers, sailors and airmen left insurers in the cause of freedom. in a broadcast to the nation at that time, my father, king george, said what is demanded from

us george, said what is demanded from us all as something more than courage and endurance. we need a revival of spirit. a new unconquered result. —— unconquered resolve. that is what those brave men brought to the battle as the fate of the world depended on their success. many of them would never return. their heroism, courage and sacrifice of those who lost their lives will never be forgotten. it is with humility and pleasure on behalf of the entire country, indeed the whole free world, that i say to you all, thank you.

ido i do not know about you, but the words of eric bobby ringing in my ea rs words of eric bobby ringing in my ears for some time yet. he is surrounded by members of his family and as! surrounded by members of his family and as i say the veterans are very much the focus of what is happening today. afternoon, welcome to the business news. sir philip green's retail group, arcadia, is holding a crucial meeting with its creditors as it tries to avoid administration. the company, which owns topshop, burton and miss selfridge, plans to close dozens of stores and wants to agree big rent cuts at nearly two hundred others. last night, sir philip agreed to put an extra 25 million pounds into the group's pension fund. joining us now is emma shipp, a partner at hewitsons law firm.

sarah philip around 75% of votes to go in his favour this meeting. briefly explain to us what that means and what it enables him to do. a cba is generally proposed by a company and difficulties to avoid some more formal procedures, such as administration. he needs a 75% of vote in favour in order for that to pass. 0nce vote in favour in order for that to pass. once that vote has been taking thenit pass. once that vote has been taking then it will bind 100% of the creditors, so it is quite an attractive option. there had been lots of hurdles for him to get to this point, hasn't there? yes, it has been a bit of a roller—coaster. looking at whether they will or will not get to the 75% majority. 0n tuesday night they had a boost when

the pensions grip said they would support them. some have said they would vote for them and one in particular has said that they are not minded to vote in favour. what happens if he loses this vote?“ not minded to vote in favour. what happens if he loses this vote? if he loses this boat and does not get the 75% majority, the company will have to look at more formal procedures. it does mean that all these negotiations, the bets are off and the company and the group would be in the hands of an administrator. we we re in the hands of an administrator. we were bringing news of the results of that meeting as soon as we hear. a number of re—fibrous aircraft are hoping to take off shortly to commemorate the severed effect

anniversary of d—day. the dakotas are the very planes that dropped the first airborne assault trips as the invasion got under way 75 years ago. these are helicopter shots as they are preparing to leave. this is the da kotas are preparing to leave. this is the dakotas over normandy, neatly lined up. they will be heading to france. engines firing up, as you can see. i know a lot of you are living under the flight path and have been waiting to see this departure, because you will all get to see them as they fly over. they will be passing over colchester, southend—on—sea, maiden and eastbourne, before heading out of the english channel. they will then

get to le havre and make their way to the historic british drop zone. there, this guy will well filled with paratroopers there, this guy will well filled with pa ratroopers jumping from there, this guy will well filled with paratroopers jumping from the transports, wearing uniforms, round military parachutes to honour the thousands of pa ratroopers military parachutes to honour the thousands of paratroopers who did exactly the same thing under far more trying conditions and at night 75 years ago. 0nce more trying conditions and at night 75 years ago. once they get to their destination the display team bobby made their antigen the eighth. as you can see from the helicopter, it is not long to go until the planes ta ke to is not long to go until the planes take to the sky and we will rejoin them then. back here in portsmouth, it has been all about the ceremony little earlier. the concert, the replay of the build—up to d—day 75 yea rs replay of the build—up to d—day 75 years ago. a short time ago i spoke

to the general who is the chief of the defence staff. it was a huge privilege to be able to watch it and a huge privilege to be able to watch it in the presence of 70 veterans. why so important to commemorate d—day? why so important to commemorate d-day? i think it was one of the most important battles that that generation lived three. it was a battle that gave us a foothold in europe and a battle that ultimately led to the defeat of the nazi regime. everywhere it was a decisive moment in world war ii. what are the lessons of its? i think the courage and bravery of those who took the beaches, but also it was hugely important nationally. a lot of people who put on uniform, for a very short period of time, whether they were scientists, engineers, they were scientists, engineers, they pulled together and remarkable plan. it was really quite a technical set of initiatives. 0bviously, technical set of initiatives.

obviously, we had the most important people in the world here today and yet, perhaps the most important people are those 300 veterans. absolutely right, i think i should be all about them. i have been very privileged to be in the company of the queen and the united —— the president of the united states of america. it was very humbling to see the engagement and how they were on front and centre in terms of what they did. what sort of questions when they being asked? what they remembered, really. what they remembered, really. what they remembered and what their fears were at the time. the unifying thing you get from all of them is that they did not want to let their mates down. that was the chief of defence staff, sir nick carter. now for the weather. conditions on the south coast much better than they were 75 years ago.

we do have some heavy rain around today across the uk and some very lively weather conditions. this is the scene in st andrews today. in parts of scotland and northern ireland a month's worth of rain has more than in the last 36 hours. another weather system is working its way in from eastern france, bringing some rain in the evening. a few heavy showers spreading out for rashard in southern counties of england and central scotland. it is particular about around glasgow. heavy rain in northern ireland in western and southern parts. in the evening some sunshine, where there is sunshine it is reasonably pleasant. into tonight, that's rain in the south—east could affect east anglia as well. if you showers just inland and some heavy rain in northern scotland will ease off for a time. still wet to the south—west of northern ireland, but many drain nights with partially clear skies.

0n the far site in southern england and wales. for tomorrow, 0n the far site in southern england and wales. fortomorrow, most 0n the far site in southern england and wales. for tomorrow, most of us are dry and rain purchasing across northern scotland. showers any south—west then started developing little bit more widely across england and wales. some could be heavy and sundry and heavy and sundry in scotland, too. a dry day for northern ireland, compared to today. as we go through thursday night into friday, this area of low pressure will bring some stormy weather across france and extend further north. we will not see the strongest of the winds, but we start the day the sunshine on friday. do not count on it lasting, heavy and persistent rain spreading its way up. west of the weather in south england and wales. some severe thunderstorms developing in southern counties of england later. scotland and northern ireland started a dry,

19 and 20 degrees in north of scotla nd 19 and 20 degrees in north of scotland in the sunshine. but turning retro during the second half of the day. that area of low pressure eyes around scotland at the start of the weekend, pushing itself away and sunday. justice at the weekend, 30 but for scotland and northern ireland particularly on saturday. england and wales looking latte driver just a saturday. england and wales looking latte driverjust a few saturday. england and wales looking latte driver just a few showers.

this is bbc news. i'm simon mccoy in portsmouth where commemorations have been under way to mark the 75th anniversary of d—day. the queen isjoined by theresa may, president trump, and other world leaders in portsmouth, to remember the allied invasion of nazi—occupied france. 75 years ago hundreds of thousands of young soldiers, sailors and airmen left these shores in the cause of freedom. more than 300 veterans of the d—day landings gathered to remember the sacrifices of the thousands of men and women who fought to liberate europe.

lam i am honoured to be stood here today in front of so many other veterans. you never forget your comrades because we were all in it together. it is right that the courage and sacrifice of so many is being honoured 75 years on. we must never forget. the invasion was the largest combined land, air and naval operation in history and one of the most decisive battles of the second world war. nato paratroopers honoured the d—day airborne operations by parachuting out of planes over normandy. and president trump has left the uk — he's now on his way to ireland, before heading to france for tomorrow's d—day commemorations. we'll bring you all the coverage live throughout the afternoon. in other news at three o'clock. social workers are severely criticised over the murders of two

toddlers in northamptonshire. creditors vote on whether to accept a rescue deal for sir philip green's retail group, arcadia. and women born in the 1950s take the government to court, over the way their pension ages were increased. good afternoon. we're live in portsmouth,

where the commemorations are taking place. the dakota aeroplanes. their two as they are affectionately known. they will later be re—enacting the terribly dangerous mission of 75 years ago. —— the daks as they are affectionately known. they will set course for normandy. 0n they will set course for normandy. on their way they will fly over colchester, southend—on—sea, maidstone, and eastbourne, before heading over the english channel. these particular aircraft are synonymous with one of the more crucial aspects of that mission on

the 5th ofjune. troops from the 16 air assault brigade, sixth airborne division, 7900 troops landed by parachute and glider, ahead of the seaborne invasion fleet. and members of the army's 16 air assault brigade also dropping from two raf hercules. as you can see, this is that moment where the pilots and those on board these planes 75 years ago, heading into dark skies, heading into a mission they had trained for, but could never have ever prepared for the reception awaiting them in normandy. following the invasion on the beaches, the three british

beaches of gold, sword, juno, and the american beaches, behind enemy lines, these aircraft flew and dropped parachutes over normandy. as these planes actually get to france they will pass over le havre and then go to the historic british drop zone. they will be wearing period uniform. and the round military parachutes that many people will know, synonymous with the events of that day, that mission to attack behind german lines, crucially to ta ke behind german lines, crucially to take bridges, eight mission that formed the basis of a film many people will have seen, the longest

day. now, the squadron, made up of the entire american —based fleet of c 475, the entire american —based fleet of c47s, are the entire american —based fleet of c 47s, are now on route. let asjust watch. many people whose fathers, grandfathers, great—grandfathers, took part in this historic mission, a moment to reflect.

thejumps the jumps will take place from the battle of britain dakota aircraft, escorted by a spitfire, they will be accompanied by c 130 escorted by a spitfire, they will be accompanied by c130 aircraft and two french aircraft, british personnel willjump two french aircraft, british personnel will jump from 800 two french aircraft, british personnel willjump from 800 feet in what will be four waves of pa rachuting, what will be four waves of parachuting, once they get to the normandy coast. i am joined now by the curator of... how important was this aspect of that day? they would have dropped parachutes, sometimes gliders, it was important to get a large number of troops behind the beaches. the purpose of the airborne

troops was to have reached quite a few miles behind the beaches, basically to protect the beach landings, and by some time for the troops landing on the beaches, by holding off german reinforcements further out from the immediate beach area. and bridges were crucial, the taking of those. yes, either to keep the bridges intact, like at pegasus, but also airborne troops went to some bridges that work further afield, further away from the beaches, and destroyed them, to make sure that the germans could not use them to bring troops across. sure that the germans could not use them to bring troops acrossm sure that the germans could not use them to bring troops across. it is difficult to imagine, sitting on the back of one of those planes 75 years ago, in darkness, having very little idea of what was ahead. yes, and often having trained for months,

possibly even years, the airborne training, the parachute training is quite specialist, they would have been training for a very long time, and probably were itching to put their skills to the test and get it over with, because they would have been waiting for a while as well. quite remarkable that there are so many of these planes that can still fly 75 years on. yes, it is partly a testa m e nt to fly 75 years on. yes, it is partly a testament to the importance of seeing the aircraft in the air as a way of understanding the history. it isa way of understanding the history. it is a bit like the usefulness in terms of understanding the history of wearing uniforms and using the equipment, because it gives you a sense of what the people involved warand sense of what the people involved war and what they had to use and how heavy it was, those sort of factors, to give you an insight thatjust reading for example does not necessarily give you. indeed. looking at these pictures you get just a part of the sense of what a

huge operation this was. we look at june the 6th 1944 huge operation this was. we look at june the 6th1944 as a pivotal moment. but once the beaches were taken, and indeed once these parachutists had taken, and indeed once these pa rachutists had managed taken, and indeed once these parachutists had managed to take the bridges they were meant to come were still weeks, months of very difficult fighting ahead. yes, even on the day itself, for example, airborne troops that landed in the early hours of the morning, and through to dawn, but that was not all the airborne troops, a second wave came later on d—day, reinforcements, and d—day is very muchjust a beginning, reinforcements, and d—day is very muchjusta beginning, not reinforcements, and d—day is very much just a beginning, not an reinforcements, and d—day is very muchjust a beginning, not an end in itself. although d—day got an initial beachhead it was not like the allies had one at that point had the allies had one at that point had the germans had given up. there was still nearly three months of very ha rd still nearly three months of very hard fighting in which the allies had a number of offensives where it does not go according to plan, to put it the best way, and so they had quite a few setbacks. quite a few

reasons for that, including the fact that the enemy, the germans, although some of their troops were better than others, they had experienced troops and experience commanders, and also the terrain, the narrow fields and thick hedgerows, that kind of terrain, was of advantage to the defenders. these remarkable images as the planes take to the skies at duxford and are relatively clear skies here but it is worth making the point that it was actually meant to be during the fifth 75 years ago, but bad weather meant that was not possible. and there was only that slight window in terms of the 24—hour period. eisenhower was told, we might be able to do this. there was a series of conditions that included being roughly full moon, partly so that the airborne troops and the bomber aircraft could see at night to do what they had to do, drop

paratroops, bomb what they had to do, drop pa ratroops, bomb different what they had to do, drop paratroops, bomb different parts of the german defences to prepare the way, and there was also things that the point at which low tide was relative to dawn, because troops land on the beach roundabout dawn, a little bit after low tide, that meant there were obstacles that the germans had put on the beaches, when the first troops land, those were exposed, because the tide was out. we are looking at the airborne aspect of this at the moment. but it involved all three armed services. just where we are in portsmouth, there is the isle of wight not far away, 75 years ago, all you could see were ships with very frightened men on them. probably a whole range of emotion i would guess, certainly at this point. a lot of them had been training for a long period of time. they would also often have been waiting in camps just a few

miles outside the city or further along the south coast. maybe for a month or two. the later part of that period they are confined to the camps, they were not allowed out, thatis camps, they were not allowed out, that is because they had been told some element of the d—day plan, it was to preserve secrecy, they had been cooped up for a long time. part of it, they were just desperate to get on and do something and stop being cooped up. you use that phrase, cooped up. looking at the planes as we are now, one thing being cooped up in a boat in the english channel, and another, being cooped up in the back of one of these planes, knowing that you are about tojump these planes, knowing that you are about to jump out at 800 feet, into, you do not know what. and you do not quite know where either because often the airborne troops were not dropped in the places they were meant to, so their first task when they landed was to figure out where they landed was to figure out where they were, sometimes it could be a distance of quite a few miles, at night, they had to travel to get to

their objective, and capture their objective, or whatever it was. finally, why is it important that we commemorate this particular battle? we do it every five years, and now many of the veterans are in their 90s, they will not be around forever, and there are those that say when this becomes a moment of history and no longer are there first—hand accounts, we should perhaps move on, what do you say to them? d-day is such a vital moment in 20th—century history. it affected the end of the second world war and the end of the second world war and the outcome of the second world war. if the allies had not succeeded to the second world war would have endedin the second world war would have ended in a very different way. that was all down to that bravery, and determination of the people involved. it is notjust important for troops that went over to normandy, there was this huge supporting network in this country, both people in the armed forces, and

also civilians who did all sorts of things like making equipment, things that were essential for d—day. really it was an effort by the entire country, this one chance the allies had. if it has not worked there was not the possibility to do it again next week, it had taken so long to build up, that this white is so important. great pleasure to meet you. you. as we look at these amazing pictures of the dakotas, 75 yea rs of amazing pictures of the dakotas, 75 years of age... and the red arrows flying over as a bit unexpectedly. again, the action in the skies. there we go. the action in the sky is very much the focus of the events here. that has caught all of us a bit by surprise. we knew it was

coming, we werejust bit by surprise. we knew it was coming, we were just not sure when. we got the warning, not at all. there they go. and perhaps the red arrows, a symbol of the affection, the feeling here, of people towards, they will jump from the leeds da kota, da ks, they will jump from the leeds dakota, da ks, over they will jump from the leeds dakota, daks, over normandy, including two veteran jumpers, we will talk to them later on. the role of the red arrows in all commemoratives events like this are absolutely integral to part of what has been going on. they are flying off. they will be taking part in events over normandy as well. but the entire sense of the 75th anniversary has been one of commemoration, but also of celebration. because this was the largest combined land, air and sea operation in history. hang on, they

are coming back. i will go to duncan kennedy in a moment. there they go. they are flying over. words fail you at an event like this. we are looking at the dakotas. a tingle down the back of the neck as we hear and see the aircraft taking part in these commemorations of the day. let as just remind ourselves of what has happened so far today and what it was all about. this report from duncan kennedy. the numbers of veterans may be dwindling but the pride they take and the respect they are given

continues. # all over the world... 16 world leaders are here to absorb the nostalgia and pay tribute to sacrfice. 2,500 americans were to die on d—day. it was the second worst single day of losses for the united states in world war ii. almighty god, our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavour, a struggle to preserve our republic, our religion, and our civilisation, and to set free a suffering humanity. while the great armada of ships bears down... the scale of d—day was as breathtaking as its ambition. the grinding of keels on shingle.

0ur troops spill ashore across that open stretch menaced by enemy gunfire... 4,000 landing craft, 12,000 aircraft, 156,000 troops, including the royal marines. when we threw smoke bombs through the slits they were coming out in long johns. they'd been asleep. eric carter landed at dawn, 18 years old, an unknown enemy ahead, an undaunting belief in the mission. how frightening a day was d—day? i do not know. most of us were youngsters. it was like cowboys and indians to us. i cannot say i was really scared. because how can you be scared when you do not know what is going to happen? the troop landing craft was packed to full capacity. there was no cover for the army. just standing, sitting.

britain lost around 1,500 men on d—day. the prime minister reflected on that human cost by recalling a letter found on the body of a captain, written to his wife. my darling, this is a very difficult letter for me to write. as you know, something may happen at any moment. and i cannot tell when you will receive this. i had hoped to be able to see you during last weekend, but it was impossible to get away. and all the things i intended to say, must be written. i am sure that anyone with imagination must dislike the thought of what is coming. but my fears will be more of being afraid, than of what can happen to me. you and i have had some lovely years...

those who survived the horrors of the normandy beaches, have twilighted into their tenth decade, but today that vast arc of time was bridged with vivid memories. it is with humility and pleasure, on behalf of the entire country, indeed, the entire free world, i say to you all, thank you. # we'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when. tributes and reflections. a moment to recall that d—day depended on numbers, planning, luck, subterfuge, and courage. a brittle collective of resolve, timing, and the momentum of history. a great enterprise of liberation to help bring the evil domination

of nazism to an end. that was then. this is now. a number of pictures of the red arrows who are doing a number of turns, i am sure terence is the wrong military term, but anyway, they are doing a number of turns. —— turns is the wrong military term. they are coming back. let us just watch the red arrows for a moment. we are about to commemorate the aircraft that retired from service this year after three decades of flying operations on the front line. get your cameras ready. we are about to fill the sky with red, white and

blue. read it and read nine puts thick coloured smoke on. red one about to put the smoke on. there we go. the red arrows. and these are the dakotas. remarkable shots from our helicopter as those planes head to normandy and re—enact the parachute drops of d—day, 75 years ago. flying over the coasts of southern england, they are heading

over colchester, southend—on—sea, maidstone, eastbourne, before heading over to normandy. a remarkable image of one particular plane carrying pa rachutists remarkable image of one particular plane carrying parachutists who today will be jumping from 800 feet over friendly today will be jumping from 800 feet overfriendly skies. a today will be jumping from 800 feet over friendly skies. a very different picture of course from 75 yea rs different picture of course from 75 years ago when they were heading into darkness, not all of them are aware of exactly where they would land on what would face them. just one of the aspects of these commemorative events today, centring here on portsmouth of course, where that ceremony took place earlier today, with so many heads of state, led by the queen. prince charles was here. theresa may, representing the british government. the united states president, donald trump, the prime minister of canada also here. and all the countries who were involved in so many important ways on that day in 1944. but truly

remarkable images there of the da kota o n remarkable images there of the dakota on its way to the skies over normandy in northern france. among those taking part in the parachute jump, to veterans, who will be re—enacting their role of 75 years ago. —— two veterans. i am going to ask that we come back to the vetera ns ask that we come back to the veterans here in portsmouth because they are about to get on board the boudicca, which is the vessel that will take them to the beaches of normandy. really, this is what today is all about, the men and women taking part in that. they will be

looking up very shortly because the red arrows are back. i have seen one information. —— one in formation. eight remarkable image there of the vetera ns eight remarkable image there of the veterans who are about to get on board boudicca and will be spending the journey board boudicca and will be spending thejourney going over to normandy. a p pa re ntly thejourney going over to normandy. apparently there is a bar to all on board which is barred to all except for serving personnel who were serving 75 years ago and many stories will be swapped and remembered of that day. any person you speak to, understates completely their role in that mission of 75 yea rs their role in that mission of 75 years ago. the red arrows are still here. it is quite a remarkable display. let us show a bit more of what is happening here.

there is not much i can say to you because of the noise of the red arrows. we are going to try to follow one. they are going very low over the solent here, and it seems we are being approached from all sides. stay with us because there are more coming and the smoke is back on.

the rest of the aircraft coming towards us. so with some

trepidation, let us come back. it is all very well looking at me but the action is going on up here, we have got some more. there we go. that is the image that is meant for the veterans who have been taking pa rt the veterans who have been taking part in those commemorations. it has been quite remarkable. there are huge numbers of crowds here are just gazing skywards at the red arrows. we have been looking at that, we have also been looking at the

da kotas, have also been looking at the dakotas, they are heading for the normandy coast and will shortly be taking part in that parachute jump. 0ur correspondent is in a village in france. it is quite a day, there is an element of celebration in this as well, just remembering what they all did. people party let the veterans three, those dakotas that you are talking about will be here. first thing to kick things off we had some planes from the battle of britain memorial flight. a spitfire buzzed very low and fast across the field and you could just feel, you could feel the rambling of that engine going through your body. everybody just looks skywards at what is happening at that moment. those dakotas are heading this way,

we are expecting 30 of them to pass over here. in fact, it is the first time over these fields of normandy that as many decoders will be in one place and that night 75 years ago. that is what is being recreated here this afternoon. paratroopers have beenjumping this afternoon. paratroopers have been jumping out of one of the da kotas been jumping out of one of the dakotas that came by earlier. 0ut been jumping out of one of the dakotas that came by earlier. out of raf hercules planes, as well. the deputy commander of one of the brigadesjumped deputy commander of one of the brigades jumped with family medals in one of his pockets. he was showing me the medals which belonged to his wife's great uncle. she asked him to do this job today and bring them back onto the field of normandy. it has been an extraordinary afternoon, particularly when you look at what is such a peaceful vision here now. these green fields, you know, the fa ct these green fields, you know, the fact that nothing is happening here and you imagine what it must have been like when they dropped in 75

yea rs been like when they dropped in 75 years ago under cover of darkness, and heavy fire. the weather was absolutely terrible, but speaking to some of the men who have been taking pa rt some of the men who have been taking part in this parachute drop dressed in clothing of the time, wearing the same shape to parachutes as they did that night, they have been talking about what it feels like to jump out of the plane onto these landing grounds, to think about who came before and what you they must have bass. it has been really poignant, you can see that on the basis of people around here who have turned out to see this. of course, and that, you're in a part of the world with d—day is so important. the street names, towns and villages bear the names of, that relate to that particular day in 1944. you cannot drive through that part of france without knowing about d—day.

it is absolutely everywhere, simon. permanent things like street names, at the moment as you drive through the streets there are flags everywhere. british, american and canadian flags. i was walking down the street this morning where a lot of the focus of beauty morrow and in a pharmacy went out there is a wee creation of d—day. you see flags everywhere, a lot of the shop windows have street art painted in. asa windows have street art painted in. as a cafe you may have a better and sitting having a cup of tea with a crowd of people around him, wanting to ta ke crowd of people around him, wanting to take photos. a lot of people just wa nt to to take photos. a lot of people just want to go up to them, shake their hand and say thank you. but you're right, this particular part of the world, really everyday and week of the year lives and breeds d—day and world war ii. huge tourist industry is built on it, because so many people want to come here and remember what happened. you can't

look at these things, you can look ata look at these things, you can look at a tank, you know, the churchill tank you just happen across as you are going down the road. the site and the signs are everywhere. those memories are everywhere, as well. thank you very much. forgive the slight delay, i am having to keep my eyes skywa rd as well, slight delay, i am having to keep my eyes skyward as well, because the red arrows are still performing here in portsmouth. they are actually over my left shoulder. i think they are coming back for one more time. so, let us just show you what is happening here. they are hogging the airwaves at the moment, but it is quite a remarkable sight. let us just watch and listen.

we it leave it while it is peaceful to do so. let us move on, because somebody else has got their eyes skywa rd somebody else has got their eyes skyward and somebody else has got their eyes skywa rd and that somebody else has got their eyes skyward and that is chris page. he is in shannon where president trump at the landing very shortly. yes, thatis at the landing very shortly. yes, that is right. we havejust at the landing very shortly. yes, that is right. we have just been told that the president will be arriving here at shannon airport and perhaps the next ten minutes. his helicopter is waiting here on the tarmac to fly him from the airport to one of the golf resorts that he owns on the west coast of ireland in cou nty owns on the west coast of ireland in county clare. just before he goes there where he will spend the next two nights, the president will meet with the irish prime minister leo

varadkar. they will be discussing immigration, trade and backs are particular. the irish government say that leo varadkar will begin to put forward his position on brexit with donald trump suggesting that britain should go for a new deal backs that they cannot get the deal they want. from ireland's point of the new dell brexit would be the worst outcome possible, so we can expect leo varadkar to set out his position that the new dell brexit would not bea that the new dell brexit would not be a good thing. but i think more than anything else, the short meeting between the leaders will be about reaffirming the relationship between ireland and america, the ties between the two countries. not least because of the many hundreds of thousands of people who have travelled from ireland to live in america over many, many decades. here in the west island of today's president trump base himself, he'll be flying from here to normandy and back again. but he will be arriving

as we say on air force one in the next few minutes. i think, yes... the reason it would appear chaotic is because i cannot hear a thing. but it has been quite a display and quite a day here in portsmouth as those commemorations get under way. before any of you to eat and say that was marine one behind chris page, marion one is not in any of a helicopter, it is the name of any helicopter, it is the name of any helicopter carrying president trump. air force one is only air force one when he is aboard. i'm going to quickly, oh, it is too late. it is very impressive and very loud. let us very impressive and very loud. let us get the weather.

after a month's worth of rain in parts of ireland they will be welcoming a break from the wet weather tonight. still some damp conditions here and there, but some of the wettest weather tonight will be just of the wettest weather tonight will bejust quick to of the wettest weather tonight will be just quick to eastern counties of england. a fee heavy showers in land but for most some clear skies overnight. a little bit on the fashion side through southern england, wales and into north west england. a fresh start to thursday, dry start for many, some rain pushing its way into the east coast of scotland. not as wet day in northern ireland, but some showers breaking out here and there. elsewhere we'll see a fair amount of sunshine tomorrow afternoon, with a fee heavy and thundery downpours the west you are. showers they'd then into the evening and then looking beyond, looking wet and windy for england and wales on friday which tra nsfers england and wales on friday which transfers into scotland and northern ireland for saturday.

this is bbc news. i'm simon mccoy in portsmouth where commemorations are underway to mark the 75th anniversary of d—day. the queen isjoined by theresa may, president trump, and other world leaders in portsmouth, to remember the allied invasion of nazi—occupied france. 75 years ago, hundreds of thousands of young soldiers, sailors and airmen left these shores in the cause of freedom. more than 300 veterans of the d—day landings gathered to remember the sacrifices of the thousands of men and women who fought to liberate europe. i am honoured to be stood here today in front of so many other veterans. you will never forget your comrades. we were all there together. it is right that the

sacrifice of so many is being honoured 75 years on. we must never forget. this is it, they are on the beach. the invasion was the largest combined land, airand naval operation in history and one of the most decisive battles of the second world war. the dakota planes took off in succession from the uk where they will re—enact the parachute landings in normandy nato paratroopers honour the d—day airborne operations by parachuting out of planes over normandy. and president trump has left the uk — he's now on his way to ireland, before heading to france for tomorrow's d—day commemorations. the other stories making the headlines today... social workers are severely

criticised over the murders of two toddlers in northamptonshire. you are watching bbc news, it is time for the sport. let us go over, let us go back to chris page who is in shannon. chris, any moment now evil be seeing... i am staying with chris page, you are expecting the president very shortly. president trump touchdown here in shannon a few minutes ago. it is not the boeing 747, it is a smaller plane. but any plane that the president is travelling on is air force one. it

is presently just travelling on is air force one. it is presentlyjust taxiing across the tarmac here at shannon airport towards us. there is a great, as you see, other reporters from all around the world, who have come to see donald trump arrive in ireland for his first visit to this country as president. it is not his first visit, though. he owns a golf resort not far from here on the west coast of ireland. he bought it in 2014 and will be spending the next two nights there. he did come to steal that deal a years ago, but this is the first time he has landed on irish shores and he entered the white house. as you would expect, for a presidential visit it will be a reasonably low—key one, there are still very tight security. 1500 uniformed police on duty in the area he is staying in. specialist units are involved too. newman not...

there will be protests here in ireland. ok, we believe it there. sorry about the sound. wherever the president is, strangely communications have become very difficult. forgive us for that. we'll have more on today's d—day commemorations that is to come, now let us get the sport. simon, many thanks. good afternoon, just days after the defeat in champion's legally totte n ha m defeat in champion's legally tottenham midfielder christian eriksen has indicated he would like a new challenge. he said that he

feels like he is anyplace in his career he wants to try something new and is hoping for clarification on his future the summer. he has been linked with a move to spain, to riel madrid. he currently has one year left with his deal with spurs. he is yet to commit himself to a new contract. england are in portugal ahead of their semifinal and they could have a new captain. sterling is tipped to be the new captain. scotla nd is tipped to be the new captain. scotland have departed for the women's world cup, they headed out of edinburgh this morning. headed for neath, where they play england on sunday in what is their first ever world cup. —— they are headed for nice. jennifer bt has left manchester city to return for arsenal, after six years away. she

spent the last four years with seti. the boxer anthonyjoshua spent the last four years with seti. the boxer anthony joshua has spent the last four years with seti. the boxer anthonyjoshua has brushed off suggestions that he had a panic attack before his world heavyweight defeat in new york last week. he was not down for weeks and his opponent one in seven rounds to hand joshua at the first defeat in his career. it is what was and remains one of the biggest shocks in the sport's history. he has the chance to when history. he has the chance to when his title back in a match later that year. i did not have a panic attack, you know me. i have to take my last like a you know me. i have to take my last likea man, you know me. i have to take my last like a man, no blaming anyone, no blaming anything. iron the one that went in there to perform and i did not perform to plan. i have to

readjust and analyse, do my best to correct it and get the job done. anthonyjoshua correct it and get the job done. anthony joshua speaking correct it and get the job done. anthonyjoshua speaking there on his youtube channel. two games at the cricket world cup today. new zealand and bangladesh at the oval, while england and south africa face each other in southampton. south africa won the toss and decided to bat. that looks a per choice when they we re that looks a per choice when they were 18—4. things settled down, though. 228 is the target and they are nigh to hundred and 23—2. there is in player highlights on the bbc website this afternoon. johanna konta, what a french open she is having. she said she is playing the best tennis of her career ahead of her semifinal. sue barker agrees with this, she was the last british woman to wind the competition. johanna konta will play the world

number 38 after beating last year's runner—up. barker believes konta isn't the right frame of mind to build on her success. it is wonderful to see her playing like this. i always felt that she could to years ago when she got to the semis of australia and wimbledon, just so well. and then the depth happened. for me, now, she is playing even better and believes in herself. i hope she can continue in that way, but it is one thing to get there, it is another thing to stay there. i think the pressure affected her last time, everybody expecting you to get to the latter stages are turning and is really can affect you mentally and she let it affect her and she kept. having been there and suffered at once, hopefully she will know how to deal with it this time. johanna konta semifinal has been moved tomorrow due to heavy rain

today. that is all from the sports centre now. i am now going to take it back to shannon, because president donald trump is about to disembark from marine one. the images there of the entourage arriving ahead of him. we are expecting him to come off very shortly. as he arrives for a brief visit to ireland, of course before he moves on to france to continue the commemorative events for the day. i said the commemorative events for the day. isaid marine the commemorative events for the day. i said marine one, the commemorative events for the day. isaid marine one, of the commemorative events for the day. i said marine one, of course i mean air force one. it will not be long before he comes off. i tell you what, people come back to that men are assigned of him at the door.

that is the image everybody is waiting for. in the meantime, i am going to talk... 0h, waiting for. in the meantime, i am going to talk... oh, i'm being told they're going to open the door. donald trump stepping on irish soil. he will be having a meeting with the irish taoiseach, leo varadkar. following on from his three—day state visit to the uk, there is little doubt that the issue of brexit will be among those issues to be discussed during those talks. accompanied by the first lady melania. a packed schedule for them of course having just left the uk. those three days, three days, one of them of royal pomp and ceremony at them of royal pomp and ceremony at the second the business day, if you

like, the political day and spent today, here in portsmouth, the day of commemoration. i have done this before, we can be waiting quite some time for that shot. so i will bring in sally taylor from south today. this counts as nationwide. sally, let us just talk about donald trump, because the security here, you will have been playing host in this region to a vip list beyond measure. extraordinary 15 heads of state, the president, the royal family. we have had this ring of steel which was built over a period of time, the la st built over a period of time, the last few weeks. it is very interesting, because most of the local people around here kind of got used to it now. i sell them running at six o'clock this morning just passing the ring of steel, as though it has been here four years. in actual fact, it will be brought dine

quite quickly. you had this tight security when you have so many heads of state and particularly president trump as well p is just about to get off on shannon. well, there it is. donald trump and melania, the first lady stepping off air force one and stepping onto irish soil. nets thereby leo varadkar, who is conveniently hidden by that security vehicle. even that little short of hair, you know exactly who that is. that is the president of the united states. a rather important case there being carried behind him. there is a better shot, donald trump, leo varadkar with millennia at shannon airport. —— with melania

at shannon airport. —— with melania at shannon airport. sally, ian died between assassin quite a few d—day commemorations and every time we say this could be the last one. —— may have seen quite a few d—day commemorations. it is important that we keep this legacy, we have to look back, but we also have to look forward. we have to teach the next generation about what happened, who we are, who we got here, the comrades and the fall in until we have lost. it is quite adjusting what you say, you're talking about the security and the idea of this. but i'm a member back on the 50th anniversary and we had president clinton here, i remember president clinton, the security of course was there, but it was not like it is today. maybe tyneside changed. but

certainly, he was much beer to be walking around, talking to the public, shaking hands with the public. —— he was much happier to be walking around. 0ver public. —— he was much happier to be walking around. over the years that has changed enormously. we see their melania getting into the car, the motorcade will shortly be moving away. president of the united states in ireland. that remarkable motorcade which was in fact here not long ago, here in portsmouth. it is a logistical operation beyond measure, travelling with the president of the united states is the same vehicles as go ahead everywhere. now, in ireland. that is the scene in shannon andrew has more

from chris page throughout the afternoon and evening here on bbc news. but now to sally in portsmouth. we were talking about previous events, portsmouth very much like all cities and towns along the south coast hugely important on d—day. but portsmouth particular. home of the navy, of course. as well as that, i think also there is this feeling that it was one of the main embarkation bodies. the point where people came. talk to anybody about the history, the whole of this area, if you go further inland as far up as north hampshire, they were stationed there before they came down here. they had no idea what was ahead of them are what was going to happen and that was part of it. the veteran say we were here, did not know we were getting on the boats, did not know what was happening. i think that is the most humbling thing when you talk to them. it is

that such a slump in your throat that such a slump in your throat that you get when you hear the story and you hear this i played a very small part, they say. and you think no, you played a huge part along with everybody else. that is the feel is we want to try and get and we'll be down in the memorial gardens here, which if you look at it has 24,500 names. we have all walked past memorials and we have all seen names, behind every name as all seen names, behind every name as a person and behind every person is a person and behind every person is a story. we will be time some of the stories tonight. including one of a nurse. yes, remind us. it is an extraordinary story. a nurse who lives in ringwood, she joined up and without on a hospital ship in amsterdam. she was looking after injured servicemen, they made two or three trips back and forth to hear from the beaches. just offjuno beach when she was trying to save

something like 75 servicemen, which she did, she then lost her life when the outskirts was hit by a mine. she did not survive, but she is only one of two women who had their name put on this new memorial in france. that is extraordinary, i mean 22,000 men there and there are two women there. 0ne there and there are two women there. one from new hampshire, one from sussex. many of your viewers will remember, parents, grandparents living there at the time. they were pa rt living there at the time. they were part of this as well. we are seeing a soldier after soldier after soldier. go anywhere off the south police south coast and ask about the date you will find a family member so easy. families that have stories of the naval base, part of the d—day

landings as well. they remember them and the stories were passed on. it is truly embedded, d—day, the whole invasion, the whole campaign and is pa rt of invasion, the whole campaign and is part of the country. i am not suggesting very moment that people do not come from elsewhere, but it has that feel. might smite it as one of the challenges when the national focus comes to an area like this... my new venture stories. when we pensioners do is cut, come down and pinch everything. pinch your stories. it is important to remember d—day, the people who were part of it, the people who did not come back. we will have the ship that has been talked about all week, the veterans on their bill be leaving

just after 6:30pm, which is perfect timing for us. i know, youjust just after 6:30pm, which is perfect timing for us. i know, you just have to look around the seafront here when we sell the red arrows here, it was packed. if you go down to the round tower tonight which is this iconic place where everybody watches the big ships come in and out, whether they are naval ships crew ships, that will be heaving this evening. that is an incredibly emotionaljourney, as evening. that is an incredibly emotional journey, as i evening. that is an incredibly emotionaljourney, as i know we have heard. it is great to see you. bbc 0ne 6:30pm tonight. thank you very much. let usjust 0ne 6:30pm tonight. thank you very much. let us just show you some pictures of the veterans, some of them who are boarding the ship to get ready for that journey to normandy. there will be a very different feel in normandy then there was here at the ceremony attended by world leaders, the

queen, the president of the united states and most importantly of all the veterans. taking part in the event marking events that happened 75 years ago. let us bring in the weather now. after so much rain in northern ireland and scotland they will be welcoming a break in the rain. a few heavy showers inland in the north of england. the odd mist orfog patch overnight, a little bit on the first side in southern england and wales. temperatures about down into single figures. a fresh start to thursday, dry start for many. rain in the far east of scotland. not as wet today in northern ireland, but a few showers. elsewhere there are the affairamount of showers. elsewhere there are the affair amount of sunshine tomorrow afternoon, but ac heavy and thundery

downpours. temperatures like today, up downpours. temperatures like today, up into the higher teams. showers fade into the evening and looking beyond, it'll be wet and windy in england and wales on friday. that tra nsfers england and wales on friday. that transfers into northern ireland and scotla nd transfers into northern ireland and scotland for saturday. we're in portsmouth for the latest stage of the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of d—day. the queen was joined by other heads of state and government to pay tribute to to those who changed the course of the second world war, in june 1944. 75 years ago, hundreds of thousands of young soldiers, sailors, and airmen left these shores in the cause of freedom. more than 300 veterans of the normandy landings gathered — most of them in their 90s — to remember the great military achievement in liberating europe from nazi tyranny.

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